Robbers Wearing Surgical Masks Hit West Loop, Near West Side

NEAR WEST SIDE — Robbers who struck four times over the past two days wore surgical masks and gloves during some of their attacks, police said.

Between Sunday and Monday, robbers approached with what victims believed to be handguns and demanded property.

The first was at 4:15 p.m. Sunday in the 2300 block of West Monroe Street on the Near West Side. One robber was wearing a surgical mask during a robbery at 7 p.m. Sunday in the 1400 block of West Carroll Avenue.

Robbers struck again at 12:20 a.m. Monday near Fulton and Elizabeth streets. Both wore surgical masks and gloves in the final incident at 12:45 a.m. Monday in the 300 block of South Hoyne Avenue, one block south of Touhy-Herbert Park.

Police describe the assailants as two black men between 18 and 29 years old, both between 5-foot-7 and 6-foot-3 and weighing 140 to 210 pounds. Both wore dark hooded sweatshirts in addition to the surgical equipment.

Police advise residents to be aware of their surroundings and report suspicious activity immediately. Remain calm if confronted by an assailant and remember any unique physical characteristics like scars or acne.

Anyone with information on the robberies can call detectives at 312-747-8382.